This is part two in a four part series of articles. Article one covered general information about subterranean termites. Article one also listed the five methods of termite control currently available. Lastly, it covered the first method of termite control in great depth.

This article will cover the second method of termite control in great depth.

The next category of termite control is soil treatment. Soil treatment involves using termiticide as a barrier in the ground under and next to your structures. The barrier must be continuous inside and outside of the foundation wall, under slabs, and near any utility entrances.

To control it is important to block access of the foundation walls, chimney bases, pilasters, and pillars by using a vertical barrier. A vertical barrier is created in the soil by either trenching or trenching and rodding along all the sides of the elements mentioned above. The trench dug should be at least 6 inches deep. The termiticide is then applied by trenching or trenching and rodding from at the top of the grade to the top of the footing or at least 30 inches deep

It is important that while treating for termites, you not contaminate any area outside the treatment zone. Such hazards may occur if you have drain tile, French drains, or other drainage systems. You can not put termiticide into the drainage system. When you have exposed footing you need to treat for the next to the footing but not below or at the bottom. The ground where structural members make contact, and where sewer pipes are laid

have to be treated as well. When using termiticide it is important to follow all directions about proper mixing with water. You should use the mix in the ratio of 4 gallons per 10 linear feet, per foot of depth.

If you already have an infestation of and are trying to control it, you can trench around the outside perimeter of the slab after it has been poured. However, this isn't the best method of termite control. Chances are good that the are tunneling through the soil under the slab, not around it.

After being poured, the slab usually shrinks away from the foundation or it can crack. This gives the the perfect opportunity to feast on the wood above the slab. It really is important to have termite control in mind before construction if at all possible. Concrete slabs have places where can get in. They can enter through the bath traps in the slab, plumbing outlets, and others.

If you have termite control in mind before construction exact drilling into the concrete slabs can be implemented to prevent from getting in. The holes in the slabs need to be vertically drilled along the construction joints every 12 inches and no more than 6 inches away from the foundation. To control the soil below the slabs must be treated from the bottom of the slabs to the top of the footing. You can also use this termite prevention method for dirt filled porches or in the slabs which have stress cracks.

The other methods of termite control are continued in part part three and part four of this series.

Types of Termites By Frank ReeceTermites come in two basic types; those which reside completely within wood, and those which tunnel and create colonies in the ground.Of the two, the wood residing type is less Read more...

How to Find out if a House is Infested with Termites. By Frank ReeceOne of the best clues to know that you have a termite infestation, is seeing winged termites. Most people, however, think that a winged termite is just a winged ant. This is completely Read more...

How to Identify Termites By Frank ReeceMost people do not how to identify a termite. Termites can easily be confused with ants. As a matter of fact, they have even been referred to as “white ants.” However, this is not at all Read more...

Termites are insects that resemble ants in size and shape, who live in large colonies. They tend to enter a building from the ground where wood meets earth. Once inside a wooden structure they tend to eat their way through wood materials from the inside out and if left untreated for long periods of time can cause substantial structural damage.